Province of Trapani: Sights, Beaches and Nature

The province of Trapani lies at the far west of Sicily, around the port city of Trapani. It is known for the salt pans between Trapani and Marsala, the hilltop town of Erice at 751 meters, the Greek temple sites of Segesta and Selinunte and the Zingaro nature reserve. Ferries to the Egadi Islands leave from Trapani; the islands have their own region page on this website. Trapani-Birgi airport (TPS) lies about 15 kilometers southwest of the city.

What is there to see in the province of Trapani?

These places in the province have their own guide page.

Which coastal towns and beaches are in the province of Trapani?

The coast of the province changes from rocky coves in the north to salt-pan landscape in the south. An overview is on beaches in Sicily.

• San Vito lo Capo: a resort at the tip of the peninsula of the same name, with a long sandy beach.
• Castellammare del Golfo: a harbor town on a gulf in the northwest.
• Scopello: a small village on a rocky bay, with access to the Zingaro reserve from the south.
• Marsala: a port town south of Trapani and the center of the wine region of the same name.

The Egadi Islands of Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo belong to the province of Trapani. They are described on the Aegadian Islands page, together with the marine protected area around them.

What is there inland and in nature in the province of Trapani?

The Riserva dello Zingaro, between Scopello and San Vito lo Capo, is Sicily's oldest nature reserve (1981). It protects about 7 kilometers of coast and some 1,600 hectares; footpaths lead to small coves. The salt pans of Trapani and Paceco are a protected reserve as well. More protected areas are listed under nature reserves in Sicily. For views, the climb to Erice or to the temple of Segesta is worthwhile; more places are on viewpoints in Sicily.

Which places in the province of Trapani combine into a day trip?

The sights of the province fall into four groups, which suggests day routes.

• Trapani, Erice and the salt pans: the cable car runs from Trapani to Erice, and the salt pans lie along the coast road between Trapani and Marsala.
• Scopello, Zingaro and San Vito lo Capo: the reserve links the two villages along a coastal path.
• Segesta and Castellammare del Golfo: temple and theater lie in the hinterland of the gulf.
• Selinunte: the park lies in the south of the province and needs a day of its own.

Segesta and Selinunte were rivals in antiquity. Today the two sites look quite different: Segesta has a temple and a theater in hill country, Selinunte several temples in a large complex by the sea.

How do you get to the province of Trapani?

Trapani-Birgi (TPS) is the nearest airport; Palermo (PMO) is another option. All airports are compared on airports in Sicily. The port of Trapani connects the city with the Egadi Islands; timetables and prices change by season and are published by the ferry companies. The roads in the west are covered on motorways in Sicily. The distances between the salt pans, Segesta, Selinunte and Zingaro are easiest to cover by rental car.

When is the best time to visit the province of Trapani?

Spring and autumn suit walks in Zingaro and visits to Segesta and Selinunte, summer suits swimming. Climate data and month-by-month guides are on travel planning for Sicily.

Anyone looking for a place to stay in the province of Trapani will find vacation rentals in Sicily through Terra Mia Immobiliare.